AMES, Ia. — It was just the second day that Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy was on campus last summer. But shortly after he moved to Ames, Iowa State passing game coordinator Joel Gordon looked in on the team’s practice facility. And there was Purdy, already leading a group of true freshmen on sprints.

“I was saying to myself, he’s got a chance to be a really special player for us,” Gordon recalled.

Gordon was right: Purdy has turned into a really special player for the Cyclones. After coming off the bench and earning a starting spot for the Cyclones in 2018, Purdy reignited Iowa State’s offense and guided them to a trip to the Alamo Bowl. But as good as he was in that first season, he could be even better in his second season. Which begs the question — just how high is his ceiling?

Buy Photo

Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy could have an even bigger season in 2019.(Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)

“He’s got a great work ethic and those guys that are driven and have the desire to improve and improve on all sides, which he does — he’ll have a chance to find out how good he can be,” Gordon said.

Purdy has already set a high bar for himself after a fantastic freshman season. But the Cyclones think he can clear it. Purdy, who took over Iowa State’s staring spot at quarterback midway through last season, finished the season connecting on 146-of-220 passes for 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also ran for 308 yards and five touchdowns. Purdy helped Iowa State to a 7-2 finish at the end of the season and guided the Cyclones to a trip to the Alamo Bowl.

But he may be just scratching the surface of his potential. Purdy, who arrived on campus last summer, now has a full off-season and spring season under his belt in college. And he’s taken advantage of it. Purdy said he added a “good five pounds of just strength and muscle” and got faster, working on his explosiveness. He also used his added time in Ames to watch film with Iowa State's coaching staff and get closer with his offensive linemen and receivers. And with Purdy now entering the season as Iowa State's clear cut start, the Cyclones can now tailor their offense to Purdy's strength.

All those parts should be great additions to Purdy’s game, which was already produced great results thanks his high football IQ, his running abilities and his strong and accurate arm, Gordon said.

Iowa State senior place kicker Peyton Paddock (No. 38) talks with teammates prior to a team photo during Iowa State football's media day on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell addresses members of the press during Iowa State football's media day on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

Iowa State sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy, left, and freshman place kicker Brayden Narveson talk on the field prior to team photos during Iowa State football's media day on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

Iowa State senior defensive tackle Ray Lima gives an interview to a television station during Iowa State football's media day on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell addresses members of the press during Iowa State football's media day on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell addresses members of the press during Iowa State football's media day on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

“I think he’s got a lot of intangibles that you can go around the country and the world and try to look for them and they’re hard to find,” Gordon said. “There’s a lot of things, natural things, that he brings from a leadership role.”

That was evident from Day 1 … well, Day 2. After Purdy got settled in his new home in Ames, he got on his group chat with other members of Iowa State’s freshman class and asked them who wanted to join him to do some sprints — about six or seven weeks before fall camp was even scheduled to start.

“We’re here for a reason and it’s to play our dream, and that’s college football,” Purdy said. “So, I didn’t want to waste anytime sitting around. So, I just had the guys go up there that morning and we started going to work.”

Purdy hasn’t stopped working. Not even after his successful season as a freshman. And even though he’s gotten plenty of attention during the offseason, Purdy isn’t settling on the success he’s already had — he’s trying to get even better. When Purdy wasn’t in Ames, he was back home in Arizona working with former NFL quarterback Dan Manucci. Manucci, who has worked with the quarterback since Purdy was an underclassman in high school, said the future is as bright as it has ever been for the young Iowa State star.

“He really doesn’t have a ceiling because he just improves,” Manucci said. “His arm gets stronger. His vision gets better. He gets physically stronger. He’s a young man that if he continues to improve and play the way he is, that will get the attention of the scouts at the next level.”

Manucci said Purdy is already well on his way to an even better season in 2019. When Purdy came back to Arizona, the two worked on his balance and footwork. Manucci also placed a big emphasis on Purdy getting his shoulder down and driving down through the ball with his throws. All those moves, Manucci said, can help Purdy with his velocity, accuracy and consistency. All those areas are already strong parts of Purdy’s came. But when Purdy starts looking down field more, his game could take off even more.

“As an ex-professional quarterback, I know what it takes to climb that mountain and I’ve seen what’s on the other side of that mountaintop as being a professional,” Manucci said. “And I feel that Brock Purdy, he’s climbing that mountain. He’s got those intangibles. He’s got the physical tool set. And he’s climbing that mountain. Someday he might be one of those kids that sees what’s over the mountaintop.”

Purdy said he isn’t thinking that far ahead though. His focus is just on getting better and helping his Iowa State team. Even Iowa State coach Matt Campbell tried tempering expectations for Purdy during the team’s media day by saying the only growth he wants to see from the quarterback is that of a normal freshman to a sophomore. But one thing is already clear from Purdy: He wasn’t a normal freshman and he won’t be a normal sophomore.

“I think as long as Brock continues to evolve and grow and play to his strengths, I think Brock will be ready to have a great year,” Campbell said.